The Need for Social Security Reform, as Illustrated by Cartoons

Townhall.com ^ | January 25, 2015 | Daniel J. Mitchell

[Kaslin]

Political cartoons, if done correctly, are remarkably effective tools for teaching about economics and public policy.

In this post from last year, for instance, I put together some of my favorite examples on topics such as Keynesian economics, labor supply incentives, minimum wage, and the welfare state.

Today, we’re going to try something different. Using a series of cartoons, we’re going to explain the need for Social Security reform.

First, let’s establish that there is a problem. I’ve shared data on America’s long-run fiscal crisis from international bureaucracies such as the IMF, BIS, and OECD. And I’ve explained that demographics are a big part of the problem.

Simply stated, tax-and-transfer entitlement programs don’t work very well with aging populations.

But that point is made with humor in this Michael Ramirez cartoon.

[TexasGator]

Don’t like the hit on the baby boomers. For the last 40 years the baby boomer SS withholdings have been financing the debt.

[Lake Living]

Not to worry... Obamacare will kill us all off.

[SkyPilot]

I will not be eligible for SS for awhile yet. I used to be for “reform”, and said so on Free Republic. However, the more I researched it, the more I discovered that SS had, in fact, been used as a piggy bank for all other sorts of gross federal spending. It would be solvent today if it was not robbed. Moreover, all I see is more Gibsmedat spending and programs and “subsidies” to illegal invaders and lazy do-nothing’s who never contributed a dime to the Federal largess they are receiving. given that, I won't cheer for SS “reform” until we Reform the Gibsmedats and Illegals theft of our system.

[GOPJ]

Social Security Disability is the new welfare...

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

The most certain way of ending Social Security is by stopping new enrollments. Since SS is paid to recipients on a month by month basis, instead of with the money they paid in, this just continues until the last of the SS recipients has died.

Then Social Security is over. Without anyone getting screwed over.

Importantly, the government loses out on what was effectively a *doubled* income tax, but gradually, over the course of many years, as fewer and fewer people pay FICA taxes. So it gives government the opportunity to slowly cut back on its spending until it matches revenues, and not a penny more.

Also importantly, Medicare is the equally evil twin to SS. If a person takes that first SS check, they are automatically enrolled in Medicare. So this means that slowly and gradually, Medicare goes out the window as well.

Between SS, Medicare and Medicaid, it is almost 50% of government spending. With the gradual elimination of the first two, Medicaid is turned into block grants for the states to manage, instead of a huge federal bureaucracy.

[gleeaikin]

In 1983 (Reagan Admin.) Rep. and Dem. compromised to “save SS.” SS money was supposed to be removed from wages at the “90% wage cap”. Basically the remaining 10% earned would not have SS money deducted. This level was to be adjusted annually for inflation, which has usually been 2% to 4%, similar to most wage increases. However, that decade was when wage for the top earners increased at the rate of 10% to 20%, but they did not have to pay as much of their income, since 1983 was actually the only year the 90% cap was in place. Over the years it drifted down to as low as 82%. A quick fix would be to put it back to 90% and keep it there for all wages.

A second change was to begin taxing SS above a certain level. Where was Grover Norquist then?? The formula for calculating your taxes on SS included a deduction of $25,000 if single, and $32,000 for couples. This HAS NOT been ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION for 32 YEARS. That means that moderate income SS recipients are being royally scxxxed. In today’s dollars the figures should be around $59,000 and $75,000. I know elderly widows and widowers who can’t afford to get married because of that lack of inflation adjustment. So unfair.

[gleeaikin]

In 1983 (Reagan Admin.) Rep. and Dem. compromised to “save SS.” SS money was supposed to be removed from wages at the “90% wage cap”. Basically the remaining 10% earned would not have SS money deducted. This level was to be adjusted annually for inflation, which has usually been 2% to 4%, similar to most wage increases. However, that decade was when wage for the top earners increased at the rate of 10% to 20%, but they did not have to pay as much of their income, since 1983 was actually the only year the 90% cap was in place. Over the years it drifted down to as low as 82%. A quick fix would be to put it back to 90% and keep it there for all wages.

A second change was to begin taxing SS above a certain level. Where was Grover Norquist then?? The formula for calculating your taxes on SS included a deduction of $25,000 if single, and $32,000 for couples. This HAS NOT been ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION for 32 YEARS. That means that moderate income SS recipients are being royally scxxxed. In today’s dollars the figures should be around $59,000 and $75,000. I know elderly widows and widowers who can’t afford to get married because of that lack of inflation adjustment. So unfair.

[gleeaikin]

What is the percentage of our military spending, including VA compared with SS, Medicare and Medicaid?

[Milton Miteybad]

The 2015 budget proposed by Barry the Boob calls for Medicare, Health and Social Security outlays of nearly $1.9 trillion, all of which is considered "mandatory" spending. Compare that figure to his proposed military budget, a mere $640 billion, labeled as "discretionary" spending.

In other words, the military budget is absolutely dwarfed by the gargantuan levels of "social spending," which has been the case for any number of years now.

[JoeFromSidney]

We are told the Social Security Trust Fund will run out of money in something like 10 to 20 years (in reality, that means all the IOUs will be cashed in). Social Security recipients have paid into the system all their working lives, but there won't be money to pay them back.

Welfare recipients have never paid in a dime. When does the money for welfare run out? How come they get it simply for being alive, while those who paid into Social Security will eventually get nothing?

[patriot08]

Social Security and Medicare for our seniors- who worked hard and helped to build this county into the greatest country the world has ever known- are not the problem.

The greatest problems is a$$hole Hussian giving away our tax payer money to hell holes who hate us!

The average American hasn’t a CLUE how much of our tax money Obama has sent down Muslim sh*t holes while he slashes the military, threatens to cut medicare and withold senior’s social security checks!

BILLIONS FOR JIHAD!

Obamas 2009 Supplemental Appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Pandemic Flu was revised and passed by the full committee.

It gives billions http://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2009/05/1... of U.S. taxpayer dollars to countries and entities that support Sharia law and/or harbor, hide and support those who want to destroy the U.S. and our allies. Read the summary from David Obeys office that was quietly released last week with nary a word from any media. $3.6 BILLION, matching the request, to expand and improve capabilities of the Afghan security forces $400 MILLION, as requested, to build the counterinsurgency capabilities of the Pakistani security forces AFGHANISTAN: $1.52 BILLION, $86 MILLION above the request WEST BANK AND GAZA: $665 MILLION in bilateral economic, humanitarian, and security assistance for the West Bank and Gaza

JORDAN: $250 million,$250 million above the request, including $100 million for economic and $150 million for security assistance

EGYPT: $360 MILLION, $310 million above the request, including $50 million for economic assistance,$50 million for border security, and $260 million for security assistance

PAKISTAN:$1.9 billion,$591 million above the request IRAQ:$968 MILLION,$336 million above the request Oversight:$20 million,$13 million above the request, to expand oversight capacity of the State Department, USAID, and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan to review programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq

Lebanon:$74 million International Food Assistance:$500 MILLION,$200 million above the request, for PL 480 international food assistance to alleviate suffering during the global economic crisis

REFUGEE ASSISTANCE:$343 MILLION,$50 million above the request, including humanitarian assistance for Gaza. Funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency programs in the West Bank and Gaza is limited to $119 million (Note: Gaza = Hamas)

Disaster Assistance:$200 MILLION to avert famines and provide life-saving assistance during natural disasters and for internally displaced people around the world, including Somalia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, the Middle East and South Asia Peacekeeping:$837 MILLION FOR UNITED NATIONS peacekeeping operations, including an expanded mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a new mission in Chad and the Central African Republic

Department of Justice:$17 million, matching the request, for counter-terrorism activities and to provide training and assistance for the Iraqi criminal justice system

Obama gives your tax dollars to rebuild Muslim mosques around the world
ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION WILL GIVE AWAY NEARLY $6 MILLION OF AMERICAN TAX DOLLARS TO RESTORE 63 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES, INCLUDING ISLAMIC MOSQUES AND MINARETS, IN 55 NATIONS. See the State Department document here. http://exchanges.state.gov/media/pdfs/office-...

And THAT’S just the tip of the iceberg.

THIS will blow your mind!! http://gbk.eads.usaidallnet.gov/ They should have 2010 up, but they don’t. That’s where you’ll find Obama’s largesse towards Muslim countries really go off the charts. . http://www.foreignassistance.gov/DataView.aspx charts: http://gbk.eads.usaidallnet.gov/data/fast-facts.html

[patriot08]

Social Security and Medicare for our seniors- who worked hard and helped to build this county into the greatest country the world has ever known- are not the problem.

The greatest problems is a$$hole Hussian giving away our tax payer money to hell holes who hate us!

The average American hasn’t a CLUE how much of our tax money Obama has sent down Muslim sh*t holes while he slashes the military, threatens to cut medicare and withold senior’s social security checks!

BILLIONS FOR JIHAD!

Obamas 2009 Supplemental Appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Pandemic Flu was revised and passed by the full committee.

It gives billions http://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2009/05/1... of U.S. taxpayer dollars to countries and entities that support Sharia law and/or harbor, hide and support those who want to destroy the U.S. and our allies. Read the summary from David Obeys office that was quietly released last week with nary a word from any media. $3.6 BILLION, matching the request, to expand and improve capabilities of the Afghan security forces $400 MILLION, as requested, to build the counterinsurgency capabilities of the Pakistani security forces AFGHANISTAN: $1.52 BILLION, $86 MILLION above the request WEST BANK AND GAZA: $665 MILLION in bilateral economic, humanitarian, and security assistance for the West Bank and Gaza

JORDAN: $250 million,$250 million above the request, including $100 million for economic and $150 million for security assistance

EGYPT: $360 MILLION, $310 million above the request, including $50 million for economic assistance,$50 million for border security, and $260 million for security assistance

PAKISTAN:$1.9 billion,$591 million above the request IRAQ:$968 MILLION,$336 million above the request Oversight:$20 million,$13 million above the request, to expand oversight capacity of the State Department, USAID, and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan to review programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq

Lebanon:$74 million International Food Assistance:$500 MILLION,$200 million above the request, for PL 480 international food assistance to alleviate suffering during the global economic crisis

REFUGEE ASSISTANCE:$343 MILLION,$50 million above the request, including humanitarian assistance for Gaza. Funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency programs in the West Bank and Gaza is limited to $119 million (Note: Gaza = Hamas)

Disaster Assistance:$200 MILLION to avert famines and provide life-saving assistance during natural disasters and for internally displaced people around the world, including Somalia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, the Middle East and South Asia Peacekeeping:$837 MILLION FOR UNITED NATIONS peacekeeping operations, including an expanded mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a new mission in Chad and the Central African Republic

Department of Justice:$17 million, matching the request, for counter-terrorism activities and to provide training and assistance for the Iraqi criminal justice system

Obama gives your tax dollars to rebuild Muslim mosques around the world
ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION WILL GIVE AWAY NEARLY $6 MILLION OF AMERICAN TAX DOLLARS TO RESTORE 63 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES, INCLUDING ISLAMIC MOSQUES AND MINARETS, IN 55 NATIONS. See the State Department document here. http://exchanges.state.gov/media/pdfs/office-...

And THAT’S just the tip of the iceberg.

THIS will blow your mind!! http://gbk.eads.usaidallnet.gov/ They should have 2010 up, but they don’t. That’s where you’ll find Obama’s largesse towards Muslim countries really go off the charts. . http://www.foreignassistance.gov/DataView.aspx charts: http://gbk.eads.usaidallnet.gov/data/fast-facts.html

[Iron Munro]

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

[generally]

This needs to be repeated constantly until it sinks in. The average low info voter is clueless.

In a related note, the war on poverty has been going on for over 50 years with no perceptible effect. (As far as I can tell by listening to liberal whiners, we have a lot more of it.) When do we get to withdraw from that war?

[SkyPilot]

Social Security Disability is the new welfare...

Now that is true. It is perpetual unemployment insurance. It is abused, and it bankrupting the system.

[GOPJ]

You're right Sky.

Some democrats who is 'oh so concerned' about 'how many whites vs how many blacks' on every other issue should look at Social Security Disability.

The press will trot out the exceptions. (of course)

Exceptions like some blind vet that we all want to help. Or a single mother who worked her whole life and now has cancer. Then they'll say Reagan was for it... and Bush. But those really disabled are't the people democrats are fighting for... Nope - this is another perk for their loyal victim groups.

The true face of Social Security Disability (as a percentage of population) is BLACK and able... happy without the hassle of pesky social workers or time limits.

[GOPJ]

You're right Sky.

Some democrats who are 'oh so concerned' about 'how many whites vs how many blacks' on every other issue should look at Social Security Disability.

The press will trot out the exceptions. (of course)

Exceptions like some blind vet that we all want to help. Or a single mother who worked her whole life and now has cancer. Then they'll say Reagan was for it... and Bush. But those really disabled are't the people democrats are fighting for... Nope - this is another perk for their loyal victim groups.

The true face of Social Security Disability (as a percentage of population) is BLACK and able... happy without the hassle of pesky social workers or time limits.

[TexasGator]

“A second change was to begin taxing SS above a certain level. Where was Grover Norquist then?? The formula for calculating your taxes on SS included a deduction of $25,000 if single, and $32,000 for couples. This HAS NOT been ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION for 32 YEARS. “

I have never heard of this. I have always been ‘taxed’ on the first dollar each year?